Mandar, a traditional folk percussion instrument of Jharkhand, received a Geographical Indication tag from the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai on September 28-29, 2026. The registration links the instrument with its geographical origin, traditional craftsmanship, and cultural identity in Jharkhand’s tribal and folk traditions.
Mandar as a Folk Instrument
Mandar is a percussion instrument with a cylindrical body made from red clay. It has leather-covered openings of different sizes on both ends, and it is used in Jharkhand’s folk music and tribal cultural practices.
GI Tag and Legal Framework
A Geographical Indication tag is a form of intellectual property protection used for goods that have a specific geographical origin and qualities, reputation, or characteristics linked to that origin. In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, and the registry functions under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.
Application and Documentation
The GI application for Mandar was filed on September 24, 2021, by the Raidih Mandar Producer Company Limited from Jarjatta village in Gumla district. The final hearing for the registration took place in Delhi in January 2025, and the application included references to craftsmanship, locally sourced red clay, indigenous manufacturing methods, and archival records dating back to 1915.
Important Facts for Exams
- Geographical Indication tags are granted to products linked to a specific place and its traditional methods or reputation.
- The Geographical Indications Registry in India is based in Chennai.
- Mandar is associated with Jharkhand’s tribal and folk cultural traditions.
- Jharkhand already has GI-recognised products such as Sohrai-Khovar painting and Koderma’s Kesariya Kalakand.
Historical References and Recognition
The Mandar application cited historical material from 1915 and referenced the works of Sarat Chandra Roy, Tarak Chandra Das, and W.G. Archer. It also used archival material from the Patna Museum and the Bihar District Gazetteer.
Market Identity
GI recognition gives Mandar products a distinct legal identity in domestic and international markets. The tag also places Mandar among India’s protected traditional products under the GI system.
